North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

North Dakota Senate Bill SB2351

Introduced
1/24/25  
Refer
1/24/25  
Report Pass
2/17/25  
Engrossed
2/21/25  
Refer
2/25/25  
Report Pass
3/19/25  
Refer
3/20/25  
Report Pass
3/27/25  
Enrolled
4/14/25  

Caption

Annexation of property to a school district; and to declare an emergency.

Impact

This bill is poised to have significant effects on local governance and educational administration. By establishing clearer guidelines and requirements for property annexation, SB2351 seeks to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance collaboration between school districts. However, it also places a structured framework around the public hearing process, which could impact how swiftly annexations can occur. This could lead to more efficient educational resource allocation and better school district management for communities involved in the annexation process.

Summary

Senate Bill 2351 aims to amend existing laws surrounding the annexation of property to school districts in North Dakota. The bill specifically modifies sections of the North Dakota Century Code to streamline the process for property exchanges between contiguous school districts. Key requirements for a successful annexation petition include securing written approval from local residents and property owners, ensuring the properties involved are contiguous, and obtaining a two-thirds approval from qualified electors in the area to be annexed. This aim is to facilitate a smoother transition of property between districts while maintaining legal adherence to existing statutory requirements.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB2351 appears to be supportive, primarily from local school administrators and educational advocates who believe that the bill would help streamline property exchanges crucial for optimizing district resources. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the procedural changes, specifically related to the involvement of local residents and the bureaucratic implications of the new requirements, potentially polarizing opinions among affected communities.

Contention

Notable points of contention include how the new requirements may affect local participation in the petition process. Critics argue that the increased emphasis on obtaining approvals from local residents may complicate the process unnecessarily and could lead to disparities in decision-making based on property value differences. Furthermore, the implications of changes to public hearing protocols might inadvertently disenfranchise residents who may not have the means or knowledge to navigate the new requirements effectively.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

ND SB2317

Amalgamating property interests; and to declare an emergency.

ND SB2309

Determination of state school aid, information displayed on property tax statements, transfer of legacy fund earnings, and deposit of oil and gas tax revenues; and to provide an effective date.

ND HB1186

The school construction assistance revolving loan fund; and to declare an emergency.

ND HB1365

Rural ambulance service district formation, organization, board of director powers, levies, and dissolution and withdrawal procedures, ambulance operations areas, authorization and state financial assistance for emergency medical services, and county emergency medical service levies.

ND HB1477

Rural ambulance service districts; and to provide an appropriation.

ND SB2036

Water resource districts, water resource boards, assessment procedures and requirements, and drains.

ND SB2254

Intervention by the superintendent of public instruction for a chronically low-performing school or school district; to provide a report; and to declare an emergency.

ND SB2284

School district enrollment, the definition of "probationary teacher", a school district's policy governing possession of a weapon, the definition of "dangerous weapon", modification of weighting factors, transition maximums and an increase in per student payments, and the school construction revolving loan fund; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide for an exemption; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.

ND SB2066

The imposition of a flat income tax rate for individuals, estates, and trusts; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

ND SB2015

A transfer of Bank of North Dakota profits to a water infrastructure revolving loan fund; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a report; to provide a penalty; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide a contingent effective date; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

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CA AB1157

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CA AB903

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LA HB327

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CA SB1405

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CA SB1405

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AZ SB1093

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